Eric and Chen first met in their Maths class at an American college. Chen was an International student from China. He wanted to learn about American culture and hoped he and Eric would become good friends. At first, Eric seemed friendly. He always greeted Chen warmly before class. Sometimes he offered to study with Chen. He even invited Chen to eat lunch with him. But after the term was over and they were in different classes, Eric seemed more distant. They didn’t see each other very much at college. One day Chen called Eric, but Eric didn’t seem very interested in talking to him. Chen was hurt by Eric’s change of attitude(态度).“Eric said we were friends.” Chen said. “I thought friends were friends forever”. As a foreigner, he doesn’t understand the way Americans treat friendship.

Americans use the word “friend” in a very general way. Their friendship is based on common interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may die. Now as Eric and Chen are no longer classmates, their “friendship” has changed.

In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long tie between two people—friendship develops slowly, since it is built to last. But American society changes quickly. Twenty percent of American families move every year. American friendship develops quickly, and it may change just as quickly.

Learning how Americans treat friendship can help non-Americans remove misunderstandings(误解). It can help them make friends in the American way.